The Good, The Bad

Hello loves,

Have I been M.I.A again?  I know, what can I say, duty calls. Running a boutique, owning two clothing labels, being a mother of two, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend...are you getting the picture here?  I can finally acknowledge to myself that my plate is way to full.  After months of feeling a little tug on my heart, that it might be time to take a big break from my career, I came to a conclusion.  It wasn't easy to make this decision and the Lord only knows if I will stick to it.  It's funny because as much as I tried to fight what I felt in my gut, God made it very clear to me.  So with a peace beyond understanding, I will be taking the Spring 2012 season off.  My Fall 2011 collection is scheduled to launch later this year, it will then be followed by my Fall 2012 collection in March of next year.  Meanwhile, I will be focusing on a new chapter in my personal life, and maybe....just maybe....it's time to start writing that little book of mine.  Never the less.....the blog must go on!  So I hope you continue to check back here and share with me in my journey.

So here at last are the highlights of the launch party.  What can I say, that day started out banging and ended with a huge thump.  In business, you'll always have the good and the bad.  Here are my favorite photos from the night.

Fashion Blogger Aimee and I

Designer Marialia and I

Model Christa and I

Family love

Thank you to all who came out that night. It really meant so much to me, it will not go forgotten.

xoxo!! 

Barbie Couture

Good day, good day! Ok not so much...I've been sick for the past two days and I'm disliking it very much. I have so much to do and so little will power.  Which leads me to explain why I FAILED at my 52 week DIY challenge.  Basically, I just put to much on my plate. Never the less, I will still occasionally post my DIY projects to share with all of you here on my blog. So stay tuned for those.

Speaking of staying tuned....the new chu-lacouture.com website will be launching soon, hopefully this month.  The reason I decided not to close the website down, was because last month I got a call from an old client who wanted to host a huge Trunk Show in a couple of months. Not only was that good news but  I also got more orders from the east coast, which for me means...we are growing. So with that, I'm just gonna have to completely suck-it-up and proceed with faith!

Ok now on to the fun stuff.....let me start by saying, "the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree".  Like some of you might know I use to make my Barbie clothes when I was a child. When I was accepted into FIDM (college), the counselor ask to see my work and kept most of my gowns without my permission, claiming she never had them.  What I'm getting at is, I wish I was about to show you some of the pieces I had made but instead I'll be showing you something better....pieces my mom has made.

My mom and I

The following dress were all made by hand by my darling mom in her spare time.  It's a hobby of hers that I think is heading for something big.

White wedding dress...

with amazing details, including a crown veil.

A royal blue mermaid tail gown...

with a silver bow and halter tie.

And my personal favorite, a black and cream halter gown....

with a black bow detail on the back.

I am truly amazed at all the details she puts into these dresses. Totally collectible.  How cool would be to have one of these in an actually life size.  I'm currently working on setting up her Etsy.com shop with all these gowns for Barbie and so much more.  Meanwhile, if your interested in any of these pieces, leave a comment or email me at melissavelia@chu-lacouture.com.

Till the next time loves, peace & love!

Big Decision

So yesterday while watching the Golden Globes, I came to a much thought about and prayed about decision.  Now before I tell you what the big decision is, let me share with you how I came to this big decision.

When I turned 30 earlier this month as many of you might know, I went though a kinda "analyse life" week.  In that week, I thought about my 10 year career in the fashion industry and were I saw myself ten years from now.  At first I wasn't to sure and I really didn't have time to think about it much because I was so overwhelmed managing two different companies.  So it was then, during the Golden Globes that it hit, just like that...confirmation of an ongoing decision.  No...I am not going back into acting...while maybe. Ok no, not really but what I did decide was after 2 1/2 years in business I will be closing Chu-LaCouture.com this February.

I didn't see myself in ten years owning a chain of boutiques, I saw myself at the Golden Globes.  Well not really myself but my gowns brushing the red carpet.  When I was a child I always wanted to be a clothing designer, among many other things and today I found myself a bit misdirected.  I started Chu-La Couture 2 1/2 years ago to fund my clothing line.  I knew I could shop the best, so I thought why not share it with all of you in a store.  Then business picked up and thoughts of opening a store front became a new project.  It was all  just becoming too much. 

One can be "the jack of all trades" but isn't better to be "the queen of just one". For when you have truly discovered your God-given gift, it is such a waste to only partially open it.

I will now be fully dedicated to my clothing line, Melissa Velia and pushing my ambitions to the next level.  And for all of you who still love to shop Chu-La Couture, you'll still be able to shop the boutique in a new, easy way on Sense of Fashion.  You can simply register for free on Sense of Fashion to shop all of Chu-La Couture's latest items, including pieces from the runway and photo shoots.

So there you have it, my big decision.  God only knows what's to come in my crazy career but I know one thing, He has made this decision clear and easy for me. 

When ever climbing the latter of success, remember there's only room for one at the very top and I have left the space for God.

For my family, will never fall behind because of my success.

Till the next post, darlins....thanks for reading.

xoxo,

Mel